Plant exosome nanovesicles (PENs): green delivery platforms

Mater Horiz. 2023 Oct 2;10(10):3879-3894. doi: 10.1039/d3mh01030a.

Abstract

Natural plants have been attracting increasing attention in biomedical research due to their numerous benefits. Plant exosome-derived vesicles, some of the plant's components, are small nanoscale vesicles secreted by plant cells. These vesicles are rich in bioactive substances and play significant roles in intercellular communication, information transfer, and maintaining homeostasis in organisms. They also hold promise for treating diseases, and their vesicular structures make them suitable carriers for drug delivery, with large-scale production feasible. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an overview of nanovesicles from different plant sources and their extraction methods. We also outline the biological activities of nanovesicles, including their anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumor properties, and systematically introduce their applications in drug delivery. These applications include transdermal delivery, targeted drug delivery, gene delivery, and their potential use in the modern food industry. This review provides new ideas and methods for future research on plant exosomes, including their empowerment by artificial intelligence and gene editing, as well as their potential application in the biomedicine, food, and agriculture industries.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / analysis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Exosomes* / chemistry
  • Exosomes* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents